Gas meter



T. J. MARTIN GAS METER Filed April 5, 1935 Aug. 25, 1 936.

w l l i g lllm ll lu l mm L/ZV ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEE] Application April 3, 1935, Serial'No. 14,417

5 Claims.

' My invention relates to gas meters and refers particularly to the casing which contains the operating mechanism of such meters.

Such casings are commonly of sheet steel with closely fitted soldered joints, since the chamber containing the bellows must be gas tight, no leakage being permissible. Also, such enclosing casings must be strong and rigid.

Such casing boxes are commonly of rectangular shape. They have a lower chamber containing the bellows and an upper chamber, or gallery, which houses the registering mechanism which is operated by the bellows.

Commonly, heretofore, the bellows chamber and the registering mechanism chamber have been made as separate parts with a soldered horizontal seam running all of the way around the casing box between these two chambers, the top wall of the bellows chamber forming the bottom of the registering chamber. All soldered seams of the bellows-containing chamber must be sweat joints while flow joints may be used for the housing chamber for the registering mechanism. The sweat joints, of course, are much stronger but they require a high degree of heat and great care in forming them and also in opening them for the purpose of making repairs when that becomes necessary.

When a meter is repaired for oiling or replacing diaphragms, it is necessary to remove the back and front walls of the casing. In replacing same, difiiculty in securing a tight soldered joint is experiencedthis difiiculty becoming greater each time a repair is made.

In such removal and replacement, the casing bottom is likely to become more or less displaced and, since the bellows mechanism has connections to this bottom, there will then probably be interference with the operation of the gas measuring bellows. Also, since some of these bellows parts have a soldered attachment tothe bottom of the casing, the intense heat required in opening and again in hermetically closing the sweat joint is liable to melt this internal solder. My invention eliminates the mentioned and other objections and dimculties in a simple and practical manner. The leaks which generally cause the most trouble are at the corners where the case, bottom and side are soldered together. By having a pan bottom and pan corners in the frame and not having to disturb the original solder seam of the bottom, side and case, oil and other leaks are eliminated.

In carrying out my invention, the seam or joint, heretofore running around the casing between the lower chamber and the upper chamber, has been eliminated thereby strengthening the en: tire casing as a whole and rendering it-more rigid with less liability of distortion by the more or less rough handling to which the meter is sub- 5 jected. Furthermore, and of great-importance, my invention provides a casing construction in which no sweat joints are required to be opened for obtaining access to the bellows mechanism, independent flow joints being separately provided 10 for this purpose. 1

In the gas meter casing box of my invention, the bottom, sides, and top are formed in one piece, the sides thus running allof the way up from the bottom of the bellows chamber to the 15 top of the registering mechanism chamber, or gallery. A front wall closure member or frame and a rear wall closure member or cover are each formed in onepiece for, the entire front and the back, respectively, of the casing as a whole.

A partition Within the casing forms the top of the bellows chamber and the bottom of the registering chamber. The top of the latter chamber has an opening therein for obtaining access thereto, this top, opening being closed by 25 means of a usual top cover having flow joints. The rear wall or covermember of the casing, and, similarly, the front wall or cover are each permanently, hermetically united to the bottom, sides, and top wall of the casing, by means of 3 .1 sweat joints, to be described late The rear closure wall member, as well as also the front, has in its lower part, opposite to the bellows chamber, a' large rectangular opening whichv is surrounded by a border portion forming 3 a frame thereon which extends above the casing bottom, inwardly from its side walls, and downwardly from the intermediate transverse partition wall, as well as also above this partition up to the top of the casing. This frame gives 40 strength and rigidity to the casing boxes .1 whole. V

This opening is hermetically closed by means of a one-piece imperforate panel member, forming a supplemental closure, which is mounted 45 upon the borderingframe member by means of soldered flow joints, thereby rendering such panel easily removable and replaceable, in order to gain access to the bellows mechanism. 50

My invention also has other valuable attributes and includes various features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be clear from the following particulardescription of one form of my invention which is illustrated in the accom- 55 panying drawing, in which similar parts are designated by similar numerals and in which:

Figure 1 is a reduced rear perspective view of a gas meter embodying one form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same, with parts broken out.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the unattached one-piece rear cover member as viewed from its inner side.

Figure 4 is an enlarged broken vertical section on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a similar but horizontal section on the line 55 of Figure l.

The particular form of the gas meter of my invention shown in the accompanying drawing comprises an outer casing box having a bottom wall I0, similar side walls Il--I I, and a top wall I2, all of which are desirably formed from a single piece of sheet metal, as indicated in the drawing. This bottom, sides, and top-forming casing member is flanged inwardly all around it at both the front and rear of the casing, in a manner similar to the flange I3 on the bottom ID in Figure 4 and the side corner flange l4 shown on one of the sides H in Figure 5.

A rear wall closure member or rear cover l5 is shown separately and as viewed from its inner side in Figure 3. This member I 5 is provided with similar, forwardly-extending peripheral flanges l6, |1--l1, and I8. Heretofore, similar flanges have been divided from each other at the corners, necessitating the forming of soldered joints between their adjacent ends. In accordance with my invention and as clearly shown in the drawing, particularly in Figure 3, all of these flanges are drawn in integral continuity with each other at each of the corners of this rear cover plate [5, not only dispensing with a soldering operation but increasing the strength and rigidity, as well as also preventing the possibility of leakage.

These flanges l6, l|--l'l, and I8 of this rear closure plate member l5 snugly fit respectively over or outwardly from the casing bottom It, its side walls l'I-I I and its top wall l2, with the inner marginal face of the plate l5 abutting against the inturned flanges, such as l3 and M, of the casing bottom I0, side walls Il-l l, and topl2, as clearly shown in the drawing. These latter flanges, such as l3 and I4, and also the flanges l6, l"||'l, and [8 are fixedly and permanently secured in place upon the casing bottom [0, side walls ll-Il', and. top l2 by means of usual soldered sweat joints l9-l9, such as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

A partition wall 20 extends transversely across the upper part of the casing therein, as is indi-. cated by broken lines. in Figure 2. This partition 20 forms the top wall of a lower chamber con.- taining the usual bellows mechanism, to be. described later, and forms the bottom of a smaller chamber adapted to house the usual registering mechanism. This partition 20 forms a hermatic seal within the casing, such as by means of a soldered sweat joint peripherally surrounding it and permanently attaching it to the inner faces of the upright casing walls, including its side walls I l-l I, the rear cover wall l5, and a similar front-cover wall 22.

The top wall it of the casing has a relatively large rectangular opening cut through it which is closed by means of a top cover 2L This top' cover is secured in place in substantially the usual way, by means of a soldered flow joint which allows for its ready removal, in order periodically to inspect or repair the registering mechanism.

The permanently attached cover plate I5 has a large, slightly vertically elongated rectangular opening formed through its lower portion, it being noted that the casing is further elongated upwardly; thus, this rear cover plate I5 is in the form of a frame comprising surrounding border portions, of which the lower element and the side elements are similar and relatively narrow while the top element of this frame is wider and extends unbrokenly from a suitable spaced distance below the partition 20 up to the top flange I8.

The inner free margins of this frame or border are indented inwardly on curved. lines to form an outwardly opening groove or gutter 23 which extends continuously peripherally all around the mentioned opening, being joined together at the corners by means of curved or rounded portions of this gutter-forming groove.

The mentioned large opening through the cover plate I5 is hermetically closed by means of a readily removable supplemental cover plate 24 having a peripheral, inturned edge margin 25 extending continuously or unbroken around it and adapted to seat within the mentioned groove 23 of the frame plate l5. This inturned margin or 25 flange 25'is removably secured in the groove 23 by means of a soldered flow joint 26 as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The form of construction of this joint, with the groove 23, flange 25, and the low melting point of the soft solder of which this flow joint 26 consists, renders this supplemental cover 24 easily removable and replaceable, for obtaining free access to the lower chamber which contains the bellows mechanism. It is thus not required and unnecessary to open or in any way to disturb the sweat joints, such as l 9 and I9, by means of which the plate I5 is permanently secured in place and which consist of hard solder having a relatively high melting point.

The front cover plate 22 may desirably be of exactly the same peripherally flanged frame form as the rear cover plate l5 and have a similarly formed supplemental front cover plate 21 (Figure 2) removably attached by means of a flow joint similar to-the flow joint 26 for the rear supplemental cover plate 24.

The bellows mechanism may be, and is shown as being, of a usual construction. It comprises a rear disc 28, a flexible bellows member 29, and a front disc (not shown) which is substantially similar to the rear disc 28.

This bellows construction, of course, must be supported while at the same time it must be free for a limited amount of movement in operation, both as a whole and as to its component parts. A substantially usual construction in this respect is shown in. Figures 2 and 4 of the drawing. The free end of a swinging flag 30 is pivo-tally connected to the bellows disc 28 by means of a pair of vertically spaced lugs 3l-3l fixed upon this disc, and an interposed pivot pin 3IA. This flag 30 is fixed upon a vertical pivot rod 32 which rocks therewith.

The lower end of this rod is pivoted in a step bearing 33 which is soldered to the inner face of the casing bottom It], adjacent to one of the sweat joints l9-I9. The upper end portion of this rod is pivoted in a bearing 34 fixedly carried by the partition 20, above which this rod extends into the upper chamber or gallery for there operating the registering mechanism (not shown) in a usual manner. This pivot rod 32 has a limited amount of vertical sliding movement in its bearings 33 and 34, in order to permit free functionsubstantially similar at the front of the bellows.

Means adapted to prevent rocking movement of the bellows disc 28 on a vertical axis are also provided, being shown as of a usual form. This disc fixedly carries near its edges a pair of lugs 3'!'3'| which are transversely slotted parallel to the disc 28. The upstanding arms of a U-shaped guide rod or wire 38 extend respectively through these slotted lugs while the lower yoke member of this rod is pivoted in short standards 3939 which, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, are soldered to the casing bottom 10, adjacent to one of the sweat joints l9-|9.

The guide wire construction at the front of the meter is similar to that for the rear guide wire or rod 38.

.It is to be understood that the described casing parts might be metal castings instead of being formed from sheet metal as mentioned.

The operation of the above described gas meter of my invention is as follows:

Much less time is required to remove flow joints than sweat joints. Thus, when it becomes necessary to gain access to the meter chamber, all that is required to be done is simply to remove the easily melted flow joint 26, which detaches and allows the supplemental cover plate 24 to be taken off.

The similar front supplemental cover plate 2'! may in like manner be detached should that be required.

It is to be noted that with either the one or the other, or both, of these supplemental cover plates 25 and 2? removed, the casing will still be strong and rigid and Will continue to support securely its contained mechanisms, which will in no manner be interfered with or disturbed. This desirable result is obtained by reason of the fact that both at the front and back of the casing, there is a strong metal framework running all of the way around the casing and entirely up to its top, these frames being flanged over and sweat jointed to the bottom, sides and top of the casing, as described.

The heat of the melting point of the flow joint 26 around the removable rear cover 24, and the similar removable front cover 21, can have no effect upon the soldered connections of the bearing standards such as 3939, especially as the points of application of this heat are removed a considerable distance from the casing bottom Hi. The bottom rail or bar of the frame formed by the rear cover l5, and likewise at the front for the front cover 22, forms an upstanding ledge of considerable depth above the casing bottom 10, which will retain any water or other condensate which may settle down and collect upon the bottom I0.

It will now be clearly evident that the gas meter casing of my invention remedies long-standing objections, difficulties and inconveniences in a practically workable construction. It is economical in manufacture, convenient in use and effectively accomplishes the desired results. It has been thoroughly tested, has operated successfully, and has been approved by a number of gas companies.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction shown in the drawing I do not specifically limit myself as to size,

shape, number or arrangement of parts, or to minor features of construction and relationship of parts, as particularly disclosed'and described, as these are given simply as a means for clearly describing the device of my invention.

What I claim is:,' I r 1. In a gas meter, in combination, a rectangular vertically elongated hermetically'sealed metal enclosing casing comprising a horizontal bottom wall, upright side walls, and a horizontal top Wall, all of these walls being hermetically joined together so asto form enclosing walls, front and rear upright'closure plates for said walls hermetically jointed thereto therebyto form a hermetically sealed casing, a partition wall extending transversely across the upper part of said casing and forming the bottom of a smaller upper chamber and the top of a larger lower chamber, at least one of said upright closure plates including a surrounding rectangular frame having similar relatively narrow lower and side bar elements and having a top bar element of greater width extending from below said partition up to said casing top wall with a relatively large'rectangular opening enclosed by these frame bar elements, soldered sweat joints hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said frame bar elements to said enclosing casing walls, a readily removable and replaceable rectangular supplemental cover plate forming a hermetic closure for said frame opening, and a soldered flow joint hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said supplemental cover plate to the surrounding inner marginal portions of said frame bar elements.

2. In a gasmeter, in combination, a rectangular vertically elongated hermetically sealed metal enclosing casing comp-rising a horizontal bottom wall, upright sidewalls, and a horizontal top wall, all of these walls being hermetically joined together so as to form enclosing walls, front and rear upright closurev plates for said walls hermetically jointed thereto thereby to form a hermetically sealed casing, a partition wall extending transversely across the upper part of said casing and forming the bottom of a smaller upper chamber and the top of a larger lower chamber, at least one of said upright closure plates including a surrounding rectangular frame having similar relativelyrnarrow lower and side bar elements and having a top bar element of greater width extending from below said partition up to said casing top wall with a relatively large rectangular opening enclosed by these frame bar elements, soldered sweat joints hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said frame bar elements to said enclosing casing walls, a readily removable and replaceable rectangular supplemental cover plate forming a hermetic closure for said frame opening, and a soldered flow joint hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said supplemental cover plate to the surrounding inner marginal portions of said frame bar elements, the outer margins of the bars of said frame plate having continuous inwardly extending flanges thereon adapted to telescope over said enclosing casing walls at said sweat joints, said flanges being formed in integral continuity with one another at the corners formed thereby on said rectangular frame.

3. In a gas meter, in combination, a rectangular vertically elongated hermetically sealed metal enclosing casing comprising a horizontal bottom wall, upright side walls, and a horizontaltop wall, all of these walls being hermetically joined together so as to form enclosing'walls, front and. rear upright closure plates for said walls hermetically jointed thereto thereby to form a hermetically sealed casing, a partition wall extending transversely across the upper part of said casing and forming the bottom of a smaller upper chamber and the top of a larger lower chamber, at least one of said upright closure plates including a surrounding rectangular frame having similar relatively narrow lower and side bar elements and having a top bar element of greater'width extending from below said partition up to said casing top wall with a relatively large rectangular opening enclosed by these frame bar elements, soldered sweat joints hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said frame bar elements to said enclosing casing walls, a readily removable and replaceable rectangular supplemental cover plate forming a hermetic closure for said frame opening, and a soldered flow joint hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said supplemental cover plate to the surrounding inner marginal portions of said frame bar elements, the inner marginal portions of said frame bars having an outwardly opening continuous groove formed therein and said rectangular supplemental cover plate having a continuous inturned edge-forming flange seated in said groove at said fiow joint.

4. In a gas meter, in combination, a rectangular vertically elongated hermetically sealed metal enclosing casing comprising a horizontal bottom wall, upright side walls, and a horizontal top wall, allof these walls being hermetically joined together so as to form enclosing walls, front and rear upright closure plates for said walls hermetically jointed thereto thereby to form a hermetically sealed casing, a partition wall extending transversely across the upper part of said casing and forming the bottom of a smaller upper chamber and the top of a larger lower chamber,

at least one of said upright closure plates including a surrounding rectangular frame having similar relatively narrow lower and sidebar elements and having a top bar element of greater width extending from below said partition up to said casing top wall with a relatively large rectangular opening enclosed by these frame bar element s, soldered sweat joints hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said frame bar elements to said enclosing casing walls, a readily removable and replaceable rectangular supplemental cover plate forming a hermetic closure for said frame opening, and a soldered flow joint hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said supplemental cover plate to the surrounding inner marginal portions of said frame bar elements, the outer margins of the bars of said frame plate having continuous inwardly extending flanges thereon adapted to telescope over said enclosing casing walls at said sweat joints, said flanges being formed in integral continuity with one another at the corners formed thereby on said rectangular frame, the inner marginal portions of said frame bars having an outwardly opening continuous groove formed therein and said rectangular supplemental cover plate having a continuous inturned edge-forming flange seated in said groove at said fiow joint.

5. In a gas meter, in combination, a rectangular vertically elongated hermetically sealed metal. enclosing casing comprising a horizontal bottom wall, upright side walls, and a horizontal top wall, all of these walls being hermetically joined together so as tolform enclosing walls, front and rear upright closure plates for said walls hermetically jointed thereto thereby to form a hermetically sealed casing, a'partition wall extending transversely across the upper part of said casing and forming the bottom of a smaller upper chamber and the top of a larger lower chamber, at least one of said upright closure plates including a surrounding rectangular frame having similar relatively narrow lower and side bar elements and having a top bar element of greater width extending from below said partition up to said casing top wall with a relatively large rectangular opening enclosed by these frame bar elements, soldered sweat joints hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said frame bar elements to said enclosing casing walls, a readily removable and replaceable rectangular supplemental cover plate forming a hermetic closure for said frame opening, a soldered flow joint hermetically attaching the outer edge portions of said supplemental cover plate to the surrounding inner marginal portions of said frame bar elements, and a metering mechanism including parts having a soldered attachment to the inner face of said bottom wall of said casing adjacent to one of said sweat joints.

THOS. J MARTIN, 

